Most venerated Master!​I am a Buddhist disciple residing in Vietnam. Because of family obligations, I have not been able to leave the home life. Twenty-two years ago, I took refuge with Meditation Master Thích Thanh Từ but have not done much to be called a meditation student. I feel ashamed because I have not been able to follow my teacher’s teachings and doctrines.

I started cultivating the Medicine Master Dharma door two months ago. I know very little about cultivation and wish to ask you a few questions to clarify my understanding:​1. In the morning, I recite the Medicine Master Buddha mantra. I stop reciting before it becomesmonotonous, so I won’t become bored with it the following day. Afterward, I recite Medicine Master Buddha’s name 108 times with the recitation beads and bow to the Buddha in repentance.

Venerable Master,​I do not know much about Buddhism; however my teachers did talk about Buddhist principles when I was in school. They elaborated on some topics such as merit and virtue, and reincarnation…

Venerable Master:​I am a Buddhist disciple. My cousin is also Buddhist and likes to volunteer at the temples. His problem is that he has a habit of swearing for harm to come to himself [such as swearing to be harmed if such and such conditions occur], especially in front of the altars.

I am faced with a very serious conflict. My dad is a believer of the Cao Đài faith, while my mom is Buddhist.​When I was young, I used to come to a Cao Đài temple to make contributions. Occasionally, I would also follow my mother to the temple to bow to the Buddhas.

Greetings to you, Master.​I am 17 years and am in school. Please tell me what I can do to learn Buddhism daily so that I can help others, wishing for my country to be at peace and my countrymen safe and happy.

NaMo Buddha.​Greetings to you, Master YongHua. I am also studying Buddhism. The Buddha came to our world out of his measureless kindness and compassion. He wants all of us to recognize and believe in ourselves and accept the law of cause of effect. How can there possibly be seeking and praying to spirits and ghosts to get responses [not clear from Vietnamese question].

Hi Dharma Master Yong Hua,​I have read the commentaries of Master Hsuan Hua on the Dharma Flower Sutra and also have read the Sutra itself many times. The Sutra and Master Hsuan Hua emphasized that by writing out or employing others writing it out, one can gain infinite merit. The more sincere one is the more merit one gains.

Dear Venerable Ones,​I was reading the Kāraṇḍavyūhaḥ sutra or the Buddha speaks of Mahayana Sublime Treasure King sutra as it is known in English and come across the part where a Bodhisattva was requesting the Buddha to teach him the Six Words Great Enlightening Dharani (Om Mani Padme Hum).

Ven. Master:​I became a newly minted Buddhist disciple a few months ago. My parents and husband are good people but do not believe in the Buddha. After I took refuge with the Triple Jewel, I started encountering obstructions from my family. My husband would often take issue about the Buddha with me.

I am a high school student. I often pray that if I pass my test, then I’d eat vegetarian in order to show my gratitude. Everything I pray for all came through. Should I follow through with eating vegetarian?​TTĐ

Allow me to ask a question about Buddhism.​I had the chance to meet with my previous teaching monks and nuns. They informed me that they follow the Theravadan tradition. When I inquired whether or not it belongs to Hinayana, they answered that it is not. I am still unsatisfied about that answer and that is why I have to ask for your input.

First of all, I wish you and the venerable sangha health, peace and bliss.​I left the home life 10 years ago and am practicing Chan. I am vigorously practicing in order to develop samadhi power. My teacher passed away a few years ago. I am currently practicing by myself and worry that the skandha demons will come to destroy all of these years of gongfu training.

Question:​I am an adherent of the Reciting the Buddha’s Name School. I have not yet taken refuge but is it possible to receive the Five Precepts? Right now, I try to observe the Five Precepts. I started a relationship before I decided to observe the precepts and I am afraid that I still occasionally violate the Deviant Sex Precept. What should I do? Please kindly give me your advice.

Dear Master,​I’ve been reading Master Hsuan Hua’s book, “Words of Wisdom, Beginning Buddhism” and have just finished the chapter about How to Repay the Kindness of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and I am very curious about them living in our Saha world. Could I please ask you these questions:

Master, please help me with the following:​1. You explained that “everyone insists on being right”. Then when we are right and others are wrong, what should we do? If they are in the wrong and if we don’t prove it to them, then aren’t they continuing to err? How should I behave in those circumstances? Usually, people try to explain once to those who are wrong and then give up if they don’t get it. Personally, I’d try to explain once or twice before I remain silent and let them decide for themselves. Is that OK?

I plan to bow to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Repentance. I shared my intention to my mother who indicated that she too would like to do it. However, she felt that since we have crampy and quite untidy quarters, she is afraid that it lacks the proper adornments and thus respectfulness towards all those many Buddhas. Could you teach us how to properly bow this repentance?​NL